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Definition of Ready (DoR): Clarifying Criteria to Enable Effective Sprint Execution

Clarifying criteria and conditions that ensure backlog items are sufficiently understood, actionable, and valuable before entering development.

Ensuring backlog items meet a clear, actionable standard before sprint planning.

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https://nkdagility.com/resources/definition-of-ready/

Overview

Definition of Ready (DoR) is an artifact.

From the perspective of Scrum, the idea of Ready, as applied to a Backlog Item, represents everyone’s (Developers, Product Owner, & Stakeholders) understanding of what is needed to implement that Backlog Item. Since this is subjective and not objective, having a definition of what constitutes ready is not possible.

The danger of having a defined definition of Ready (DoR) is:

A solution that may enable the effective use of this practice may be to a different formula of naming to create disambiguation between the DoR and the DoD.

Backlog Candidacy Test

Every candidate Backlog Item should have:

Once candidacy is achieved then the Team & Stakehodlers can determin Ready with conversation.

Rule of Thumb

As a general rule Developers should not take Backlog Item into a Sprint that they do not fully understand and agree, as a team, that there is a reasonable likelihood of being successful.

INVEST

Learn More about Definition of Ready

Blog

If your backlog is not refined then you are doing it wrong

Explains why regular backlog refinement is essential in Scrum, how to make backlog items ready for Sprint Planning, and ways to measure effective refinement.
Signals

Too much refinement wastes time

Balancing backlog refinement prevents wasted effort and chaos. Aim for just enough detail so developers can plan sprints confidently without over-preparing or guessing.

Connect with Martin Hinshelwood

If you've made it this far, it's worth connecting with our principal consultant and coach, Martin Hinshelwood, for a 30-minute 'ask me anything' call.

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